Message from the Chairwoman of the Board

Sharpening the Focus

We began this board year with a motto of ‘Sharpen the focus.’ With that motto in mind, we have implemented several changes this year which increase our relevance and the value of your membership!

Ontario Chamber of Commerce Foundation

One of our first priorities was to bolster our chamber Foundation, and enhance its value to our community. We began this work by populating the board with high profile community leaders such as Gail Guge, of Wilkin Guge Marketing; Dr. William Aguilar, Vice president of Development, CSUSB; Fred Board, Publisher of the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin and Mark Tuttle, Owner of Warehouse Solutions. Together with board members from the Chamber (Bill Thurin, Benefits Resource; Ernie Riffenburgh, Gresham, Savage, Nolan and Tilden; myself and Mark Smiley, our President and CEO), the Foundation board set out to raise the profile of the Foundation. This will be accomplished in several ways:

The Foundation will have a presence at our Inaugural Gala, which is set for Thursday evening, June 19 at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario. Thanks to the generosity of Fred Board, an informational brochure about the Foundation will be available at the Gala. Additionally, the Foundation scholarships will be presented at the Gala. The board felt this larger, more formal gathering was an appropriate and high profile venue for the scholarship presentations.

Thanks to Nativity Scene archives presented by Bill Thurin, the Foundation board realized that 2009 marks the 50th anniversary of the Nativity Scenes! To celebrate this occasion, the Foundation has formed a committee, being led by Dr. William Aguilar, that will meet in early May to begin the planning for a 50th anniversary celebration for the scenes. The proceeds from this event will benefit both the scenes and the Foundation. Foundation Board member Gail Guge suggested at one of our first meetings that we develop a 'signature event' for the Foundation, to raise the profile and awareness of the Foundation. The event marking the scenes’ 50^th anniversary will do just that!

Inaugural Gala

As you may note from the Gala information above, we have also sharpened the focus on the opportunity this event provides. This year’s Gala will not only include the inauguration of our 2008-09 Board and presentation of our scholarships, but other recognition as well. Our Small Business of the Year award will be presented, and major donors will be honored. We also hope to recognize again honorees from our Police Recognition Luncheon. This will be a fast-paced evening, full of appropriate acknowledgement of what is good and right about our wonderful community. We hope you will join us!

Upcoming Activities

It’s a busy time of year! Our next Legislative Breakfast is set for Friday, May 2 at the Ayers Suites Hotel on East Holt, the Police Recognition Luncheon will be held on Tuesday, May 6 at the Doubletree Hotel, our New Member Reception is scheduled for May 8 at the Sheraton, our Legislative Fly In takes to the air on Monday, May 19, our Membership Drive is gearing up for June and the ballots for the 2008-09 Ontario Chamber of Commerce Board members have been sent – be sure to submit your completed ballot!

I hope to see you at a chamber event soon!